I haven't been to a doc for this yet, but I'm probably going to go after I exhaust the diet/supplements I'd think.

Probably at about 21, I started noticing my "fast" digestive system. Back then, I had to go to the bathroom ONLY when I ate certain foods, specifically "Buffalo Wild Wings". Over the next 5-6 years, I could count on one hand the number of times I had an urgency attack.

Then around 5 years ago, I started noticing I was reacting to more foods than before. Basically I'd have a problem maybe 20% of the time after I ate something from a restaurant whereas basically never prior to that.

Now, I have ZERO cramping/bloating/pain with this. It's just in/out of hte bathroom and I'm good to go. If my diet is ok, I might have 1 loose stool per week.

The thing that's hard to figure is how much my anxiety about it is playing into it. We've been staying in more recently because we have an 18 month old son and I don't seem to have the problems when I'm at home. So I wonder how much of my problems are in my head? When I'm near a bathroom, no problems no matter what I eat.

The good news is if I ever NEED relief I can take immodium and it stops me up no matter what I eat. I try to limit that to Max once per weekt hough.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to take to make my stools more bulky? My frequency isn't that bad, it's just when they are softer I feel like it's a little more urgent.

I have the same problem, although a few years back the doctor diagnosed mild IBS brought on by stress.I have the same symptoms - although mine is accompanied by a lot of pain which sometimes brings me to the floor. I have worked out that oily foods and spicy foods affect me, so maybe try to keep a food diary to see when your problem is at its worst. You can then avoid these foods, for example I cannot eat chilli in a restaurant.My doctor also prescribed me Colofac - you take one tablet 30 mins before eating. It has always helped me and although at one point I was taking these tablets three times per day, I now take one if I am going out to a restaurant and it really helps.

All you can really do is keep track of what foods you are eating when you go out that appear to be causing it. I used to have problems with certain types of foods, like Ice Cream, but I could usually eat without incident at home. Italian Pasta w/ Sauce was another one. However, I believe I ate more when I was out and/or more quickly and combined with other foods just ended up badly. I don't believe it's lactose issues, as the foods vary.

I now try and stick to healthier foods and those which are gallbladder friendly (basically low/healthy-fat and limited treats/caffeine, and some foods to avoid in general like eggs and pork) and I do pretty well. Some of it, for me, is stress/anxiety as well. It's different for everyone though so really hard to pinpoint and you'll likely give yourself more stress and anxiety trying to figure it out. :( Talk it over with your parents, if you can, odds are they (and/or their parents) have had similar experiences to help you figure it out.

Eihcet,I read your posts on the gallbladder forum from 2007 and your results with the hida scan. I have the same history and now at a crossroads of whether I should remove my gallbladder or try to live with it. If I eat no fat and small meals, I'm okay. When I don't, I get into trouble. Of course, I have the usual IBS diagnosis.

Go to a doctor and get checked out. There is another functional disorder called functional D with no pain.

The leading cause of misdiagnoses is self diagnoses.

There are a ton of things that could be causing your symptoms and you need to be evaluated beofre you treat anything. Some of these conditions can be very serious and you want them diagnosed the sooner the better as well as the right treatements for whatever you acually have. Its the only way to go at this point.

IBS Forum Moderator

I am not a doctor. All information I present is for educational purposes only and should not be subsituted for the advise of a qualified health care provider.

Please make sure you have your symptoms diagnosed by a medical practitioner or a doctor.